EADS and RIM join forces to deliver BlackBerry to government organizations in Europe

EADS and Research In Motion (RIM) have agreed to form a strategic alliance focused on delivering localized wireless data solutions to government organizations across Europe. The companies began working together earlier this year with an initial focus on achieving security certification of the BlackBerry® wireless platform for use within the Government of France.

BlackBerry is already the leading wireless data solution for government agencies in North America, and RIM is expanding its efforts with government customers around the world. Individual countries typically set their own specific requirements and processes to certify communications technologies for government use; and EADS and RIM intend to work closely to achieve localized certifications of BlackBerry in a range of government sectors throughout Europe.

“Government customers are a strategic focus for RIM and we are very pleased to be working with EADS to address the localized security requirements of government organizations in Europe,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. “EADS has tremendous credentials and respect within security communities in Europe and we believe this alliance will be welcomed by both government and corporate customers who are eager to deploy the BlackBerry wireless platform to enhance operations, productivity and responsiveness.”

“Wireless data technologies represent one of the most significant strategic IT opportunities available today for government and corporate organizations alike and EADS looks forward to expanding our efforts with RIM to help customers mobilize their organizations. We will bring to the table our technology and our market know-how with defence and homeland security customers”, said Tom Enders, CEO of the Defence and Security Systems Division (DS) and member of the EADS Board of Directors.

The collaboration between EADS and RIM has already enabled significant progress toward satisfying European government requirements. EADS Corporate Research Center recently completed an extensive security review and RIM has addressed all requirements presented by EADS to date. The companies plan to continue working together to complete the government security certification processes.

“The collaboration of EADS Corporate Research Center with RIM has been outstanding and mutually beneficial,” added Jean-Louis Gergorin, Head of EADS Strategic Coordination and member of the EADS Executive Committee. “We will continue to work with RIM to enhance security features and ensure our customers’ strict security requirements continue to be satisfied as technologies evolve.”

BlackBerry allows government employees to stay connected with secure, wireless access to email, data, phone, web and organizer features, and helps employees respond quicker and make decisions faster. The end results for government agencies can include an increase in knowledge sharing, a stronger connection to constituents and more efficient and adaptive processes. BlackBerry is already widely used by government personnel, and the government sector currently accounts for approximately ten percent of all BlackBerry subscribers.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.

EADS Defence and Security Systems, with revenues of about € 5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 24,000 employees across ten nations, forms the defence pole within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, related services, and secure mobile communications.

EADS Corporate Research Center (CRC), now including its newly established IT-security laboratory, is a global network of research sites serving EADS needs and enabling leverage of technology acquisition through leading edge partnerships. It is one of the pillars of EADS Innovation through Research & Technology.

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com

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